"Too many people have been injured or killed over the years driving too fast during winter weather conditions," said Dale Bray, Union Pacific director-public safety. "As part of our UP CARES initiative, we want to remind drivers to slow down when winter weather conditions – snow and/or ice -- are present on the roads."

"It can take a mile or more to stop a train, and, by the time a locomotive engineer sees you on the track, it is too late to stop. If you are driving too fast for the slick conditions you will not be able to stop in time to avoid running into the path of or into the side of a moving train at a crossing," added Bray.

Union Pacific is committed to public safety through various outreach channels such as community events, media, Union Pacific Railroad police, employee resource groups and Operation Lifesaver. The UP CARES (Union Pacific Crossing Accident Reduction Education and Safety) public safety initiative brings together communities in a collaborative and caring effort to promote railroad grade crossing and pedestrian safety.

UP CARES activities include:

Grade crossing enforcement with local, county and state law enforcement agencies;

Safety trains that provide local officials a firsthand look at what locomotive engineers see daily while they operate trains through a community; and

Communication blitzes that educate the community at events or media outreach.

While there has been a more than 80 percent reduction in crossing collisions since 1972, tragically, 260 persons were fatally injured in train/vehicle collisions throughout the United States according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

Do not become a statistic; slow down when there are winter weather conditions present and never race a train to the crossing — even if you tie, you lose.

About Union Pacific

One of America's iconic companies, Union Pacific celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2012. Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act of July 1, 1862, creating the original Union Pacific. Today, Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP), linking 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail and providing freight solutions and logistics expertise to the global supply chain. From 2000 through 2011, Union Pacific spent more than $31 billion on its network and operations, making needed investments in America's infrastructure and enhancing its ability to provide safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible freight transportation. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and emphasizes excellent customer service. Union Pacific operates competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways.

The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.